Claire
Master Chef
That Is The Question. I have to laugh at this one. I was reading the thread about turkey/tuna salad. I have never used a recipe for these things. I just ask hubby if he wants it fine or chunky, and proceed with what happens to be hanging around the house. I used to use Miracle Whip a lot, but in recent years have taken to making Ranch dressing using the mix, fat-free yogurt, and full-fat Mayo, and using it for almost any mayo-type recipe. If there's celery in the house, or maybe a can of water chestnuts, in it may go. When my herb garden is going strong, tons of whatever is looking good. Then I wind up "in trouble" because a friend will want to know how I made something, and they sometimes think I'm messing with them because theirs doesn't turn out like mine. Some don't understand that MINE never turns out the same twice!!! I do have a couple of things I use a recipe for, but even then it is pretty loose. How about you? Do you use a recipe, not use a recipe, or somewhere in between. I have to say I have hundreds of cook books, a couple of decades of Gourmet, etc.